AILA Commends Hearing Addressing the Critical Reforms Needed in the Area of High-Skilled Immigration

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) commends the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security for holding today's hearing entitled, "Enhancing American Competitiveness through Skilled Immigration." Witnesses at the hearing addressed many of the critical reforms needed in the area of high-skilled immigration."

Highly skilled immigrants bring innovation, creativity, and job growth to the American economy. Congress must enact an immigration bill that addresses all of our nation's immigration needs of which high-skilled immigration is a critical component.

There are a number of issues faced by businesses that need access to highly-skilled workers and foreign students graduating from U.S. universities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). New avenues of legal entry into the U.S. must be created for the investors and entrepreneurs whose work spurs our economic growth. Additional employment-based green cards that are essential to an effectively-functioning immigration system must be included in any meaningful reform package. However, this expansion of green card numbers to meet economic demand must be accomplished without taking away green cards from other immigration categories. Furthermore, these much needed changes to both our immigrant and non-immigrant system should be made without creating new red tape and bureaucratic barriers to the businesses that need these workers in a timely manner.

"A properly functioning immigrant and nonimmigrant visa system is vital to the well-being of our nation's economy," said Laura Lichter, president of AILA. She concluded, "AILA is encouraged to see this hearing take place today and looks forward to seeing a bipartisan effort developed to address our broken immigration system."

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.